US Patent 7641778 Gel electroelution and sample separation devices and associated processes

A gel electroelution device can have a gel spot column having upstream and downstream openings in fluid communication with an inlet and outlet, respectively. The gel spot column receives a gel spot and negative and positive electrodes are fluid communication with the inlet and outlet, respectively. A gel electroelution process can involve flowing a buffer solution through the gel spot in a first direction, and creating an electric field across the gel spot in the same direction. A separator device can have a generally cylindrical collection reservoir in fluid communication with inlet, filtrate, and retentate ports, a filter intermediate the inlet and filtrate ports. The inlet and retentate ports can intersect the collection reservoir in a manner to induce a cyclonic flow. A flow separation process can involve inducing a generally cyclonic flow in the collection reservoir, and filtering the fluid therein to retain the retentate.